Motor Bike, Bus, Another Bus, Ferry, Footing it, Tuk Tuk, Matatu, Motor bike, HOME

October 8-21

It has been a pretty slow week with nothing extraordinary going on. We had to put the Land Rover in the shop again this time they had to replace the rear break caliper $ and some routine cross bearings. Thankfully it only took a couple days for the repairs. I also had to do some minor repairs on the windows and drivers side door latch. We literally shake the vehicle apart on the roads to Singwaya and Gandini. I made a trip out on Sunday and I must admit I was hating the drive with all the rattles and banging not to mention my door flew open three times. Argh...
     One good thing about taking the vehicles into the shop regularly is we have continued to build our relationship with the Christine's husband Fritz.  He is not saved and is pretty anti-religion. When I picked up the Land Rover we had a bit of a discussion about "religion". His opinion is that Religion has done more harm in the world than good.  I had to consent that "Religion" has done a lot of bad but I told him that does not mean that God is bad. We had a good talk and that to me was a huge step forward. Please pray for Fritz's salvation,  he is older and not in good health. If God is using our repairs to reach Fritz then it is time and money well spent, just pray for me to have the patience to endure the frustrations of the vehicles.
     Kenya and I went to visit Juma and Neema this week and they are doing well. Juma is continuing to talk with the family in Jimba/Gede about meeting on their plot. Once we get the ok we will plan some evangelistic outreaches immediately. Juma's computer shop is doing well and he has a movie shop as well at another location. I praise the Lord for how he is doing and how hard he has worked with his wife Mercy to build a business.
    Today Kenya and I went to town to visit Daniel and his wife at the hospital. Daniel's Wife appears to have had a stroke due to her blood pressure. She is not able to use one side of her body or speak but she is a wake and responsive. They are needing to take her to Mombasa for an MRI. Lord willing we will take her tomorrow for the MRI. Kenya is also in need of getting some tests done so we will do that also.....

Well the update got cut off above when Daniel called and asked if we could take his wife to Mombasa immediately. I left and took Daniel and his family to Mombasa General hospital so his wife could be admitted there and be seen by a specialist who could give her the care she needed. Once I got them to the hospital and they got checked in I headed back to Malindi. We were glad to help and are confident that the hospital in Mombasa will be better equipped to help her.
     Kenya and I still had to go back to Mombasa the next day for her test and we also went by to visit Daniel and his wife to see how she was doing. Daniel said the specialist came in and explained everything to them and was running a few more tests. Daniel was happy to have confidence in the doctor who could was giving her very good care. Felistus (Daniel's wife) is still not talking and has no use of her right side but the doctor is confident that with time she will begin to recover. While I was gone to Tanzania to visit Clayton and Lindsey this past weekend Kenya went to Mombasa to bring Daniel and his wife home after she was discharged. Kenya said she was still about the same but there really was not much more they could do for her at the hospital. The family has to work with her at home with exercises.
    On Sunday last week I attended services in Gandini at the request of the church. They asked me to come and help them with an issue with their pastor Jonathan. I picked up the young men from Singwaya that have been helping the chuch in Gandini. We arrived and found Jonathan at the church which was a surprise since he had not been to the church in almost two months. We had a good service even though it was a bit off, everyone knowing we had a meeting after services. The good thing was that a lot of the church members were present who I have not seen for awhile.
     After the worship service we had a meeting to come to a solution about Jonathan leaving the church for months at a time without communicating or making plans for them while he is away. It was a long, yet productive meeting. I served basically as a mediator and moderator of the meeting at the church's request. They were able to come to an agreement and solution that included Jonathan continuing as pastor. It was a good experience for me to watch how they worked through the problem. I am grateful to the Lord for his leadership in this matter and for giving me the right spirit during the meeting. Inside of me I wanted to attack and say just do this, but the Lord gave me grace and allowed me to mediate and guide the church rather than rule or dominate.
     These types of situations test our theological beliefs. What I mean by that for example is that we believe and know the Bible teaches that Jesus gave the church authority.  It is easy to trample that authority when we feel we are right or when we want to push our agenda on a congregation, especially as a missionary, but to allow the church to work through her issues and be patient through the process is not always easy. This meeting we were having was long over due but I could not force the church to deal with the issue, they had to come to the point where they were ready to deal with it themselves. In the end the church was satisfied with the end result and as the missionary I was glad to serve the church and guide them as they navigated troubled waters.
    I am still teaching Bible study in Malindi on Thursdays and that is going well. The past two weeks we had a good turn out although everyone arrives late. Most everyone that comes is coming in straight from work so I understand, but it shortens our time together. I have really enjoyed the preparation and presentation of the lessons myself.
     The big part of this update was my visit with Clayton and Lindsey Friday-Monday. Kenya took me to Mombasa at 4am on Friday so I could catch a bus to Tanzania to go see Clayton and Lindsey at language school. They are nearing the end of their time in school and I wanted to run down to just hang out with them and encourage them. The trip to Morogoro where they are in school is a LONG trip. We spent 2 hours in our van to get to Mombasa to get to the bus stage. I got on a bus waited for about thirty minutes and drove to the ferry then got offf the bus to cross on the ferry which took about 30 minutes. Then we waited for the bus for an hour then got back on the bus for about 2 1/2 hours  until the border then had to get off the bus to go through Immigrations then get back on the bus to Chalinze. From the border to Chalinze is the longest stretch of about seven hours driving with a few restroom stops and lunch break in there. At Chalinze I got off the bus and caught a Dala Dala (minibus) to the language school which took another hour and a half. It was a good 14 hour trip from our house to the Language school.
    Clayton, Lindsey, and I had a great weekend together just talking, playing games, and going to the places they frequent. Clayton and I climbed the mountain near the language school on Saturday. We climbed the 7200feet to the peak of Mount Lupanaga in 4 hours with three of the teachers from the language school. It was an AWESOME HIKE and not for the faint of heart. The Tanzanian guys that went with us did great, but were whipped most of the hike. It was a strenuous and at times dangerous trip. Going up we really could not see the peak because it was in the clouds so it was cool to ascend into the clouds for the last hour and a half of the climb. If we had been able to see where we were going that last stretch UP we might have been discouraged and we are pretty sure our Tanzanian brothers would have bailed on. That last stretch was nearly straight up. We climbed by grabbing roots and rocks.
    When we reached the top of the mountain we ate our lunch and the clouds started to disperse so we could see the town a little. Once we decended to a rock face where we had rested at coming up, we could see clearly where we had come from and climbed to and we were all amazed that we had made it. We were able to get to the bottoom of the mountain in three hours. Part of that time included refreshing in some cold mountain spring water. We had a great time!

     Sunday we attended services at a Bible Baptist church in town and spent the afternoon back at the language school. It was a quick trip, but I really enjoyed visiting and seeing the places that Clayton and Lindsey have been going to and hearing of their progress. We are looking forward to them getting back to Kenya with us next month. Monday Clayton took me to the bus stage to start my return trip home. The trip in short was Motor Bike, Bus, Another Bus, Ferry, Footing it, Tuk Tuk(three wheeled taxi),Matatu (van), Motor bike, HOME.

     It was good to sleep in our bed last night! Today has been finances and getting this update done. We got word last week that John, Amber and Ellonara Strader will be arriving on November 19th to join the work here on the coast. We are super excited about their arrival. We are going to have an awesome Thanksgiving with The Straders here and the Howells back from language school not to mention several missionary friends coming up from Mombasa.

September Montly Report

“Our vision is to be a ministry of eternal significance that impacts the cause of Christ through the 

advancement and multiplication of His churches.”

September 2014

IMR Israel

            ISRAEL! This month our family and actually our entire ground team attended the International Missionary Retreat in Israel put on by World Missions Ministry, Lynn and Brenda Raburn. Brother Lynn and Brenda with their entire team did an amazing job this year. The ladies from Faith BC, North Little Rock, with Shawn and Alison Crane made VBX an awesome time for our kids. Jack Story with MTL outdid himself on all the logistics and putting together tours.  We learned so much about Israel during our classes with Brother Lynn and Brother John Malancon as well as from our tour guides. 

 

We made some great memories in Israel. Our team was refreshed and encouraged by the fellowship with fellow missionaries. To see all the places that we have read about and know that we were in the Promised Land was just awesome. We appreciate our church, Pauline Baptist Church, for sending our family and the Howells to this retreat. We are also grateful to Brother Lynn and Brenda for raising funds for our accommodations during the retreat as well as to the churches that gave. This retreat is a highlight of our year and is always a time of revival.

Bible Institute Extension

     This month we made a decision to try and use technology to expand our ability to have classes for the Bible Institute. I had a meeting with Elli in Mombasa about using a mini pocket projector and speaker to have classes in Miritini each week under his leadership. He said that he was willing to lead and coordinate the classes. I will meet Elli every 4-6 weeks to give him new notes and video files for the project. I will also collect the attendance and grades for the completed class. We will be using old teaching videos, the new ABA Media project videos we did a few months ago, and new videos we are making. We will continue to have classes together, but this will allow the students to continue throughout the month with classes multiplying our efforts. 

 

     Brother Mercer, Brother Mike, and I carried the pocket projector, batteries, speaker, and notes to Miritini while we were there this month for classes. I taught the men how to use the projector and gave a few instructions on notes and Scripture memory. Pray for this attempt to multiply our efforts. If it works in Miritini I would like to try it in other areas as well.

 

     We were so blessed to have Ashley’s pastor, Brother Monroe Mercer from Green Acres BC, Bossier City, LA with us this month. Brother Mercer came and spent two weeks with us visiting Ashley and ministering among the churches. We had him teach Bible Institute classes in Malindi and in Miritini. He also was able to preach in two of the churches and visit all the others. It was such a blessing to have Brother Monroe with us and to see his desire to take care of his missionary. It is obvious that he is very proud of Ashley and her committing herself to the Lord’s work here on the Coast of Kenya. Brother Mercer said that Green Acres Church misses Ashley, but they are excited for how God is using her. 

 

James Taylor PO Box 811 Malindi, Kenya 80200

Phone 011-254-713289014 missionarytaylor@gmail.com

Taylor Tribe

We started out the month in Israel at the International Missions Retreat with Lynn and Brenda Raburn and a whole host of other missionary friends.  We are so grateful every year for the opportunity to attend the retreat.  It is always a much needed reprieve and time to relax away from our fields of labor.  Thank you so much, Pauline Baptist Church, for sending us to this each year.  God has given us a great sending church; they love us and take such great care of us.  Also thank you to all the churches and individuals who give to Lynn and Brenda and their ministry.  They have done so much for missionaries around the world.  For our family, their help through the years has been invaluable.  

            And let me just say, Wow!  Seeing Israel first hand was amazing.  We went on a whirlwind tour just before the retreat began and it really brings the Bible to life.  Seeing and walking in the very places Jesus saw and walked was life changing.  I still don't think we have processed all that we took in.  One of my favorite parts was having a worship service on the Sea of Galilee.  Thinking about Jesus and how he had to get in a boat to get away from the crowds only to find that when he crossed over they were there waiting on him.  And yet, he had compassion on the multitudes.  We don't face anything like the crowds Jesus did, yet I still find myself at times wanting to retreat; and some days that compassion that Jesus had isn't so easy to come by for me.  Oh that I could see the needs of people as Jesus does and always be tenderhearted to care for them.  

            Another favorite part for me was teaching two of the ladies’ classes.  Brenda asked me several months back if I would be willing to teach.  The Lord has really been dealing with me about who I am in Christ and daily obedience to Him.  My pastor Brother Chad Graves always says to teach out of the overflow of what God is teaching you.  So when she asked, I knew what I was going to speak on.  I am so humbled that the Lord would use me, and I thank Him for teaching me and using me to encourage other missionary wives.  It was truly my great joy and honor to share from my heart with fellow missionary wives.

            The kids absolutely love the VBX that Jeanean Wilson and the team from Faith NLR do for the MKs.  Jeanean is such a loving, Christian woman with a heart for missionaries and their families.  We love her so much and thank God for all the hard work she puts into ministering to all the MKs each year.  She always comes with a team of helpers who are equally as eager to minister.  This year Jamie and Heather came and were awesome.  Shawn and Alison Crane always do a wonderful job with the teens as well as the worship services.  We are thankful for Faith BC sending them to be a part of this ministry.  

            After the retreat it was back to school and trying to re-establish a routine. The kids are doing well with Ashley.  They really seem to love school.  We have also been enjoying our time with the Vickers family during their internship.   

            Thanks so much for reading and praying.  

Ashley's Pastor trip and Good-Byes

September 26-October 7

9/26-27

We had Bible Institute classes for two days here in Malindi. Brother Monroe Mercer from Green Acres MBC, Bossier, LA  taught for us while I translated. Brother Mercer did awesome.  We had good attendance. Brother Mercer taught on Hebrews chapter 11 the first day and part of the Beatitudes on the second day. The men loved the teaching, Brother Mercer left his notes so they could continue to study what remained.

9/28   
    Sunday Kenya and the kids went to church in Malindi while the Vickers, Ashley, Brother Mercer, and I headed down to Jimba for a special service. Daniel had asked us to come to continue teachings Mike and I started last month on some specific topics. Mike taught on church discipline, I taught on missions, and Brother Monroe taught on false teachers. We had four different sessions with a small break for some cookies and juice to sustain us all until lunch. The attendance was good.  All went very well.

    For lunch we went to Gede and had some amazing burgers. They were seriously good. Juma joined us also for lunch so that he and I could go to a meeting afterwards. I rode the motor bike so I could remain behind with Juma for a meeting in Jimba Gede where a family has welcomed Juma to start having Bible studies. After lunch Everyone else headed back to Malindi. Juma and I went interior to Jimba Gede.
    We drove back up into Jimba Gede quite a ways when we ran out of gas in the motorcycle! I forgot to fill up while we were in Gede so we had to call one of Juma’s buddies to come bring us some gas. It gave Juma and I a good chance to hang out under a shade tree and visit. Once we got the fuel we continued on and had a good meeting with one of the brothers, the mama of the boma, and one of the wives of the mama’s son. They all professed salvation and seemed excited that Juma was planning to start a Bible study. We did not see any churches near by so it would be a great location to try and start one.
    Juma has had this area on his heart for a long time so it was good to finally take a step forward. Pray for Juma as he seeks the Lord in this endeavor. Juma has been helping out in Magangani but it is really a loss for his talents to not be used in leadership. He and his wife Mercy are very gifted and I have great confidence that when they start meeting in an area they are going to do a great work. Juma is so connected, I do not think that he understands the influence that he has with people. Pray for me as I try to mentor Juma, I really want to pour into him. He is getting his computer shop up and going and is putting himself in a position that he can sustain his family and be free to minister.
    After Juma and I had our meeting I dropped him off at his shop and started home. As I got ready to leave Gede the motorbike started to spit and sputter so I thought I better fill up before I leave Gede to head to Malindi. When I pulled at the gas station the attendant noticed that gas was pouring out my motorcycle. I pulled off to the side and sure enough the fuel was gushing out of the overflow. I checked for any loose connections or bolts but everything looked good. I even called Brother Mike to ask him if he had any thoughts. We concluded there must have been some dirt or something keeping the carburetor from functioning. I tried a few more things but finally had to call and ask Brother Mike and Brother Mercer to come and get me. They had to take out two of the seats in the van so we could but the bike in the van because the Land Rover was in the shop getting a power steering pump put on.
    Needless to say it was a crazy day but a good one. We got back in time to celebrate Chaelann’s Birthday!

9/29
    We spent the day out on the ocean Monday. Our family, the Vickers, Ashley, and Brother Monroe all went snorkeling for a full day. It was lots of fun and we had a really good seafood lunch on the boat. The only bad side of the day was all the sun burns! I am very grateful that I was not burnt but Josiah, Abigail, Kenya, and Brother Mercer all got “some” sun. Josiah especially got torched.

9/30
    Brother Mike, Brother Mercer, and I went out to Singwaya on Tuesday to show Brother Mercer the area. We went by the Singwaya church building and Furaha came by to greet us. He was doing some work near by trying to raise the funds to go back to school on Monday. We had a good visit with Furaha and Brother Mercer really “enjoyed” the ride out.; ) 

Ok so that was as far as I got with keeping a daily writing… LOL I do best just looking back over the week and just go with the time I have to write. We appreciate so much those that read these updates and are patient to get them. It really is a good exercise for me to write them, so I can see what the Lord has done. Sometimes it is so busy that I miss the blessing.  Sharing things in these updates keep me in tune with all God is doing around us and though the ministry here. I use these updates many times to write my monthly reports.
    Let me finish out the update for this week. Brother Mercer, Ashley and Kenya went to the game park on Wednesday last week and I was the substitute teacher for the kids. The kids did really well and I had a good time with them. I also agreed to make dinner if Kenya would go on the safari instead of me. Some might wonder why I would not want to go on the safari since safaris are so fun. Well for those who have driven to the Game park and endured the trip it is pretty tough. The animals are cool but the trip is so rough, not to mention that we have been to the game park so many times. I made a gourmet meal, at least it is at our house, of spam and potatoes. There were three different “flavors” one with salt and pepper, one with Toni’s seasoning, and the last with French Fry seasoning. It was ready when Brother Mercer, Kenya, and Ashley returned.
    They said they had a good safari and only one breakdown… one of the radiator hoses on the Land Rover busted and they leaked out all the water. They had to baby the Land Rover all the way across the park to a lodge to get some water since they did not have any water with them. At least it gave them a good story and experience. They did see seven lions under a tree so that was a bonus!

    Brother Mercer, Brother Mike, and I all went down to Miritini for two days to teach Bible Institute classes. Ok actually brother Mercer taught, Mike and I got to listen. The men in Miritini have good English so I did not have to translate. Brother Mercer did an awesome job teaching the Beatitudes. Brother Mercer is a great teacher and we all were feed well.  I took a little time in the morning also to teach the men how to use a mini pocket projector for classes they will be doing throughout the month with Elli supervising. The projector and speaker will allow the men to watch video classes that we have so they can get more studies in between my classes with them. We are going test this method out with the Miritini group and if it is successful we will look at implementing it in other areas as well.

 After class on Friday we got a room in Miritini and ran out to Bokole to greet Juma’s family and to show Brother Mercer the church. We also got to see Juma’s daughter Neema, her leg has healed up nicely. You may remember that we asked prayer for her last month when she was burned. Praise the Lord she has no deep scaring and is all healed up!

    Elly found the hotel that we stayed at so we would not have to go back into Mombasa to find a place to stay that would be expensive. Bed and Breakfast cost us $12 a piece. I was not sure what type of place we were in for but I am always up for an adventure. Kenya had her doubts about a $12 room but it turned out to be an awesome place. It was clean, had hot showers, ceiling fans, and secure parking. Breakfast was also great in the morning. It was a home run as far as I was concerned.
    On Saturday while we were in class Kenya and Christy came to Mombasa with the kids and took them to Wild Waters. It is a water park that is super fun! This was one last chance for the kids all be together for a special time before the Vickers were to leave. They had a great time and we all met back up in Malindi in the evening.

    Sunday we attended services in Malindi. Brother Mike taught Sunday School and Brother Mercer preached the morning message. At the end of services Nicholas called up the Vickers family and brother Mercer to pray for their travels on Monday back to the states. In the afternoon the Vickers and brother Mercer finished up all their packing.

    Yesterday was a day of Good-byes. We had a special brunch meal for everyone before we loaded up to take the Vickers to the airport followed by Brother Mercer later in the afternoon. We had a great trip with Brother Mercer, Ashley’s pastor, and we are so glad that he showed his support of Ashley by coming. He did an amazing job teaching and preaching. We will look forward to having him back in the future.

    The Vickers also left us after a three month internship. They came to work along side our family to confirm and clarify what God was calling them to do. They concluded that full time ministry in Kenya was not what God had for their family at this time. Please pray for the Vickers as they return to the states that the Lord will help them as they continue to seek his direction for their future. We had a great time working with Brother Mike, Christy, and the kids. We will miss them and we appreciate all that they did while they were here and we look forward to seeing them on short term trips in the future.
    Today is my administrative day.  I have worked on this update, finances, and am going to finish our monthly report as well. It really quiet around here with just our family and Ashley on the ground now. Lord willing the Straders will be here next month and the Howells will return from language school. Then we will all begin working together. Pray for Clayton and Lindsey as well as Ashley as they all work on Language learning. Ashley did not leave to go to language school but she is working with Getrude for about 8 hours a week. It will be so awesome when everyone is able to speak Swahili! Our ability to minister will be exponentially greater!